COMMONWEALTH EDISON:

Wind power ranks high on utility's wish list

April 05, 2006|By Tribune staff.

Commonwealth Edison hopes to buy a substantial amount of wind-generated power before the end of next year, increasing the state's use of renewable energy.

ComEd is asking state regulators for permission to buy up to 300 megawatts of electricity from independent owners of wind turbines. The state currently has a little more than 104 megawatts of wind generation capacity.

"This is really part of a longtime commitment by ComEd to renewable resources," Arlene Juracek, vice president of energy acquisition at ComEd, said Tuesday.

The Illinois Commerce Commission is almost certain to grant approval to ComEd's request. The ICC has in the past endorsed the use of renewable sources of energy, as has Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

ComEd will reduce the amount of wind power it buys if necessary to hold down consumer prices. Juracek said ComEd will cap any price increase to customers at half of 1 percent. "That is 35 cents on a $70 electric bill," she said.